A consortium of Ottawa-based game developers led by bitHeads/PlayBrains, Fuel Industries, Magmic and Snowed In Studios today announced the First Annual Ottawa Game Conference, to be held at the Ottawa Convention Center on May 29, 2012.
The one-day event, made possible with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, will explore video games from the development and business perspectives, and will feature expert speakers from Ottawa and around the world.

“Ottawa has a surprisingly long history of game and interactive media development stretching back to the founding of Artech Studios in 1982. There are now over 200 game, animation and interactive media companies in town making worldwide brands and award-winning entertainment products. The conference is intended to strengthen the bonds between local firms and enhance our ability to compete globally,” said Scott Simpson, CEO, bitHeads & Playbrains.

Additional partners include:

Algonquin College

Export Development Corporation

Invest Ottawa

Interactive Ontario

Generator

Glitchsoft

Knowmads Inc.

Sylien Games

Ottawa Chapter of the International Game Developers Association

Sponsors include

Labarge Weinstein

RBC

Victory Arts

“Our sector doesn’t fit the traditional image of Ottawa high tech, which has focused on things like network infrastructure. It’s not a 9-5 industry and there’s continuous disruption. This is the next generation of Ottawa’s tech sector,” said Jean-Sylvain Sormany, president of Snowed in Studios.

The conference will include a gallery of concept art that showcases the creative process, presented by CanvasPop, and an evening reception celebrating innovation, including motion and thought-controlled games.

“Gaming was once considered a trend, or solely kids’ entertainment, but when we examine how it has permeated our daily lives and found a home on devices from consoles to PCs to mobile phones, it’s clear that it has become part of our cultural bedrock. This conference celebrates Ottawa’s role in the expansion and innovation of the gaming industry and facilitates our growth as a business community,” said Mike Burns, CEO, Fuel Industries.

Early bird registration is open now, with the early bird rate of $175.00 effective until April 29, 2012.